When it comes to landscaping, there are many types of paving options available to you. But where do you start when there are so many to choose from? In this article we will discuss commonly used paving stone for landscaping, how they differentiate themselves from others, and how to choose which is right for you.
There are three main categories of stone pavers and they vary greatly, these are; Natural Stone Pavers, Manufactured Stone Pavers, and Recycled Stone Pavers.
Commonly used paving stone for landscaping
– Natural Stone Pavers
Most types of stone pavers are naturally made, this allows for natural stone colour variation which gives it a truly unique look.
– Crazy Paving
This natural stone is very similar to Flagstone, however the size of the stone panels are smaller and more consistent. Once installed the panels look random in appearance as all corners of the stone interlock. There are three main colours used in Crazy Paving; Russet, Onyx and Bisque. Russet has a colour pallet of dark grey to medium brown, whereas the Onyx has the singular colour of charcoal grey. The final colour of Bisque has a lighter colour consistency featuring a light golden yellow and light greys combined together to deliver a unique look. The natural stone colours in the crazy paving can be highlighted or darkened through applying various sealers to the product. There is ease of installation involved in this product due to the interlocking pavers which eliminates any cutting of the stone. This inevitably saves not only time but money too. Crazy Paving can be applied as flooring, a feature wall, a pillar, or around water features.
– Flagstone
This type of stone is sourced from a quarry and machine cut into various sizes to give it a ‘random’ appearance when all combined. Generally speaking, these pavers are quite large in size, and are best used to form a pathway. If installing flagstone on top of a crushed aggregate base then it’s fine to leave each paver a small distance – a grout can be used to fill in the gaps between the stone pavers.
– Cobblestone
This type of stone has been around for centuries and is a great way to add that ‘vintage feel’ to your house. There are two main ways that cobblestone can be applied to your driveway or walkway. The first option is for the stones to be laid straight and flat in a line, this gives the appearance of a uniform finish, similar to brickwork. The second alternative is for the stone to be laid in circular shapes, this is a more creative look which has the appearance of overlapping circles. The colour options available for cobblestone are limited to the dark- grey colour pallet.
– Travertine
Travertine pavers are more commonly referred to as Travertine Tiles. This type of stone is a form of limestone, and is naturally made from mineral springs. The distinct pitted holes and troughs which are visible on the surface of the product are one of the characteristics which make each Travertine piece unique. There are certain finishes that can be applied to the product to ensure durability, and fit individual preferences. There is the option of installing Travertine either filled, or unfilled. This refers to grout being applied to the product to fill in the areas of holes and troughs. The decision on whether to apply grout is up to you and which look you prefer. Filled Travertine won’t trap dirt in the tiles as the grout fills any gaps. Some people prefer this as it’s easier to clean, whereas others prefer the stone in its natural form without grout. The other type of finish is polished, and unpolished. When the Travertine is polished it creates a vibrant, smooth and shiny finish. However once the polish is applied to the Travertine it makes the product quite slippery, so not ideal for around pool settings or young children. In these circumstances unpolished Travertine would be best as there is good traction on the product.
– Bluestone
There’s little wonder on why this type of stone pavers is called Bluestone. This stone consists of natural elements such as sand and other various particles, that once combined create a grey- dark blue colour, hence the name. Bluestone pavers not only can be used as a great flooring product, but also as pool copping.
Manufactured
– Concrete
This is a manufactured product which is made up of cement, aggregate, and water
– Brick
This product is incredibly strong, durable, and commonly known for its classic look. Aside from being applied on houses, it also is used for driveways and outdoor areas.
Recycled
– Rubber
This is the only type made from recycled tyres, the benefits of using this product include the fact that they are non-slip and require little to no maintenance once installed.
When deciding which stone paver is right for you, it’s always important to consider the size of application. This will have an impact on how much of the product is used.
Stone Pavers are commonly used as a flooring product, and this is a great way to add pattern or colour to driveways and walkways. In addition to this form of application, stone pavers look great when installed vertically as well. This is a lovely way to really differentiate feature walls around outdoor dining areas, or highlight water features